20/07/2021
Just be careful and smart about where you go, you don’t want to be ‘that’ guy/gal
Eleven people from Greater Melbourne have been issued official warnings for entering or remaining within a prohibited area, being the Wombat State Forest, which is still closed to the public after last month’s storms.
Conservation Regulator Authorised Officers have been undertaking patrols in the forest, which has been classified a public safety zone, where hazardous trees are a safety risk.
There was also evidence of illegal firewood collection and off-road activities within the forest.
It is an offence to enter a public safety zone unless you have an exemption and anyone found in the Wombat State Forest can face a fine of up to $727.
Public safety zones are put in place to ensure community safety and do not have an impact on the clean-up work being done by our crews.
DELWP continues to work with recovery crews and forestry industries, including VicForests, to explore opportunities to make fallen timber available for use, including for community firewood.
While it is too early to speculate about quantities, firewood will be made available for the community in designated areas once suitability for a range of purposes has been assessed and only when it is safe to do so.
Conservation Regulator Authorised Officers will continue targeted patrols this weekend.
For a full list of park and forest closures please visit: www.ffm.vic.gov.au/visiting-state-forests/forest-and-road-closures
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